Thursday, February 26, 2015

An Adventure

I love a good adventure, I really do, but when it includes not one, but two snowstorms, not so much. As you know Reece and I hit the road early Monday morning for our annual trip south to visit my parents. About four hours into our trip we hit a snowstorm. Reece had finally fallen asleep, and I was able to focus on the road, or I should say lack of road since it was covered in snow. I managed to get us through with no troubles at all, except being thrown off our planned arrival time at our overnight stop. And the good news, as we drove further south the skies were blue and the sun was shining. I had high hopes that the storm we hit would be the only crimp in our travels.

At our overnight destination I checked in my parents, and my dad mentioned there was snow and freezing rain in the forecast. What??? It seems I brought winter with me. We awoke Tuesday morning to clear skies, and sunshine. I was feeling pretty good, and we set off for the final stretch of our journey. About an hour in, things changed and we drove right into the snowstorm. It was a treacherous drive with snow and ice covering the roads. It seems a lot of people down here don't really know how to drive in this weather, and since they don't often get this kind of weather I completely understand that. I put my hazard lights on and slowed right down for the next three hours, yes, you read that right, three hours. There were cars and transport trucks in the ditches, and the highway was closed at two different spots. Lucky for us one of the closures was right at a rest stop, so they diverted us off at the rest stop and then right back on, but with the second closure we weren't so lucky. We were stuck on the highway. The GPS was giving me the option of a detour, but there was no way I was getting off the main highway to travel unknown roads in a snowstorm. So we sat there. Reece was listening intently to Heidi on audio, and my knitting basket was sitting just behind the driver seat, so I reached around and grabbed my latest project and knit away.

Finally we started moving, and continued along our way. It was still slow going, but we were moving, and although we were much later than expected, we finally reached Myrtle Beach. Upon arrival, we unpacked swimsuits and hit the pool, and while Reece frolicked in the water with my mom, I hit the hot tub to soak away two days of intense driving.

The temperatures, at the moment, are below seasonal, and as you can see in the photos, Reece is still wearing his winter hat. Today rain is in the forecast, and the temperatures are expected to remain low for the next few days. By low, I mean 5C, which is actually quite warm compared to the temperatures we have been dealing with at home. The temperature won't stop us though, from enjoying the beach, searching for shells and other ocean treasures, hiking and swimming (indoors). We will soak up all the goodness of this beautiful spot no matter what.

My poor Kim, I'm so sorry... I had checked the forecast after your email the first night and was praying it would not be as bad as they had said. :-( I'm so happy you are there safe and sound. I'm hoping next week warms up for you the way it will warm up for us. Have fun you two! xox

Oh my friend, it seems as if this winter has visited many :0). I am glad that you made it to your parents safe and sound...a bit frazzeld but all together safe. Enjoy the beauty of the ocean in winter, it has a peacefulness all its own. Blessings to you and Reece as you revel in the company of your loved ones.

Yes, sadly you picked one heck of a time to drive down south. :-( We were hit with 7 inches of snow at our house yesterday and this counts as the 4th highest snow total in AL since they started recording it! People here are not used to this and yes, everything shuts down. I do hope you'll still get to enjoy your stay and enjoy the time with family.

Oh heavens, I am so glad you guys are safe! I have a lot more anxiety about driving in the snow than I used to. My body gets tense just thinking of how much concentration and energy you must have used up.

But, the beach is a good destination to wash away stress. These pics looks so much like the Outer Banks, where I spent many a college spring break in March. It never seemed to matter that it was 50F, just being there is such a healing balm. Hope the rest of your trip is indeed just this.

Oh my what a terrible drive, I though you were terribly brave driving all that way on your own with Reece (who obviously couldn't share the driving), but to then have to do it in bad weather!!!Enjoy the rest of the holiday!

I am glad you arrived safely, snowstorms is no walk in the park! But in a way beautiful in all their powerfullness (I do not know if you van say that in english... But I hope you understand what I mean) I recieved yr note two days ago, thank you it is such a treat to recieve a handwritten note in the mail!On my way to Sweden, we will have some snow there too I fear!

I am so glad that you made it and so very sorry that you hit some delays along the way! I was so hopeful that you wouldn't encounter any snags along the way. Glad that some Heidi and knitting helped pass the time!

Enjoy your time in SC! I do so hope that at least you get some blue skies out of the deal! Tell Reece we said hello! xo

That was going to be a tough drive anyway but it sounds like the weather made it even tougher. How great to be productive during your stop and fetching the knitting out! I hope you have a restful stay before you have to drive back!

Welcome to Mothering with Mindfulness. My name is Kim, Waldorf inspired homeschooling mama to one, writer, nature lover, dreamer, and lover of all things handmade. This is my space. A space to share with you my journey through motherhood, as I walk along the path of simple, mindful living. I invite you to join me as I learn and grow.